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TechnoratiThe World Council of Churches and the Rev. Samuel Kobia, secretary general of the WCC, presented 25,000 petitions on Thursday calling on the Swiss government, pharmaceutical industry, and churches to make a greater effort to ensure Africans have access to anti-retroviral treatments.
More than 8,000 lit candles formed the shape of the African continent in front of the Swiss Parliament in an effort to draw the attention of the Swiss government, pharmaceutical industry, and churches to make a greater effort to ensure Africans have access to anti-retroviral treatments on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo: WCC)
With the slogan "Africa needs medicines. Now!" the Swiss parliament building in Bern, Switzerland was bathed in the light of 8,000 candles laid out in the shape of Africa on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1.
The event was just one of a decades-long effort to galvanize the church and others against AIDS. The WCC's main emphasis then and during the 1990s was the development and distribution of educational and study materials. Its specialized AIDS desk now supports community initiatives, provides technical assistance to churches, and participates and convenes international forums on the disease.
While the evangelical church seemed to have recently come on board the fight against AIDS, the WCC, an ecumenical body comprised of mainline Protestant denominations, has been in on the fight for healing and wholeness against AIDS since the pandemic first arose in the 1980s.
Much of the recent theology, compassion, and holistic ministry advocated by evangelical leaders – the likes of Kay Warren of Saddleback Church and Acts of Mercy, Ted Haggard of the National Association of Evangelicals, Dr. McKenzie Pier of Concerts of Prayer Greater New York, Dr. Paul Cedar of Mission America Coalition, and Dr. Ted Yamamori, the international director of the Lausanne Committee on World Evangelization – has long been the reason behind the WCC’s support of AIDS initiatives.
Flawed Theology
In a statement, Kobia said that the church is guilty of a “flawed theology” that “equates sin with disease.” This kind of theology puts “morality over compassion and judgment over love,” he said, and encourages churches to correct this.
In addition, the theology surrounding sexuality has also been “flawed.”
The church has emphasized “guilt and a false sense of modesty,” he said. “Sexuality is a sacred gift from God. A gift to be cherished and to enrich our lives. It is for us to experience it in a responsible and empowering manner.”
He advocates addressing AIDS in a holistic manner.
Kobia said HIV/AIDS will provide an “important opportunity to open up this topic and to empower churches to deal with HIV/AIDS in a holistic manner.”
He continued, “The theology taught in the seminary, the sermon from the pulpit, the service the churches and hospitals provide, and the way the congregation deals with people living with HIV/AIDS – all these need to reflect the boundless love of God.”
The 58-year-old Kenyan native has lost a number of close family members to the disease, and he relates to AIDS victims personally.
“Within a short span of two years, I have lost a brother, two nieces, a nephew, a sister and brother-in-law, and four cousins,” he said. “I have learned to see everyone infected as a close relative. I relate to them more personally.”
The WCC's Approach Continue »
